A. Niang et al., FODDER-QUALITY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH CONTOUR PLANTING OF LEGUME-SHRUB GRASS MIXTURES IN CROPLANDS OF RWANDA HIGHLANDS/, Agroforestry systems, 39(3), 1998, pp. 263-274
The leguminous woody shrub species Sesbania sesban and Calliandra calo
thyrsus were planted with the grasses Pennisetum purpureum and Setaria
splendida on contour lines in association with wheat and beans in ord
er to improve the grass based fodder system in the Buberuka highlands
of Rwanda. Setaria, calliandra and sesbania showed a higher productivi
ty when shrub and grass species were mixed than in the sole stand. The
crude protein yield of all grass-shrub mixtures was higher than in gr
asses alone and the crude protein of the grasses was increased when co
mbined with a leguminous shrub. Calliandra with Setaria gave the highe
st fodder quality and showed the lowest competition with crops. An opt
imal system for satisfying dry matter and protein requirements of loca
l and improved cattle was estimated by linear programming. Shortest le
ngth of fodder planting is obtained by the pennisetum based system in
sole stand and in combination with calliandra. The crop loss was the l
east when Setaria was grown alone or in combination with calliandra. F
rom production, nutrition and economic considerations it appears that
leguminous shrubs have a role in improving fodder production in the Rw
andan highlands.